Page 76 of Crimson Born

I grabbed his hands and clutched them to my chest, pressing our clasped hands between us.

“Knowwhat? Tell me Reece.”

His eyes opened and pinned me with their intensity.

“Of all the women here, only you and she have a chance of producing biological children. But she’s almost two hundred years old, and it hasn’t happened yet. You may be the only hope for the survival of our people. Unfortunately—for me—that means you’ll have to mate with many, many drones, as all queen bees do. That’s why the Bloodbound get specially formulated blood bags. It makes us stronger—and more fertile.”

He looked disgusted by his words, but he went on, sounding choked.

“Youare the only woman I want. But my only chance of being with you, at least occasionally, is to become one of the Bloodbound.”

31

Promise Me

In shock, I staggered backward.

“No. This is crazy. This can’t be happening.”

Reece caught and steadied me. He wrapped me in his arms and pulled me close again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I shook off his efforts to comfort me, overcome with revulsion. “That’s vile. And it’s not true. It just... itcan’tbe. I don’t want that, Reece. I don’t want any of this.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’sgoingto happen.”

“Not if I leave.”

He shook his head. “It’s pointless to run. She’ll find you—wherever you go. She canalwaysfind you. She’s your maker. Any ‘independence’ she may have offered you was an illusion. You’ll never be able to break the bond. Neither will I. Sheownsus both, Abbi.”

“Reece...”

Finally, I understood why he’d made the choice he’d made. Imogen had convinced him there reallywasn’ta choice.

But I didn’t believe that. I couldn’t. There had to be something we could do.

“We can’t give up. Maybe Imogen was lying. I think there might be someone who could help us, who’ll tell us thetruth. And she might know how to break the maker bond. Another vampire—one who sees things differently from Imogen.”

“Whoever it is, they won’t be able to help. Imogen is too powerful—she’s a queen, and she’s ancient. There’s no one strong enough to break her hold on us.”

“Thereisone person, just as old, just as powerful. And I know exactly where to find her.”

“Who? Where?” He looked entirely baffled.

“Her sister. Sadie.”

His hand shot out to cover my mouth, and he looked around, presumably to check if anyone had overheard me.

“Don’t say that name here—ever again,” he hissed. “And don’t be ridiculous. You’re Imogen’s daughter. Sadie is her mortal enemy. Why would she help you? Youcan’tgo to her. How would you even know where to find her?”

“She’s going to be in Washington D.C. tomorrow night leading a sit-in at the Lincoln Memorial. I’m going to see her speak, and afterward, I’ll find a way to talk to her privately.”

I grabbed his hands, begging. “Come with me, Reece. If anyone can help us, it’s her.”

For a moment he just looked at me, wearing an apprehensive expression. But there was also a spark of hope. “Do you really think so?”

“I do. We’ll leave at darkfall, before the ceremony.”

At my mention of the ceremony, his expression morphed into one of fierce concentration. “The ceremony is the only thing that might hold Imogen’s attention long enough for you to slip out unnoticed and untraced. And all the Bloodbound will be there, so the surrounding land won’t be patrolled during that time. It’s definitely the best time to leave.”

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